HRV boys hoops likes chances in balanced Mt. Hood Conference

It's not the businesses that makes the image of a town, it's the people that make up that community. The majority of the letters have been against Wal-Mart. We are hoping that this letter will give the anti-Wal-Mart people something to consider and open the door for the pro-Wal-Mart people to voice their opinions. Most of the concerns voiced are: we don't need another minimum-wage paying business, it's going to hurt other local businesses, the traffic is unwanted, and finally, will a bigger Wal-Mart mean a bigger "Camp Wal-Mart."

Imagine trying to explain to your child the meaning of Sept. 11. Add to this confusion the fact that this child's Father was killed. Children need help from adults in understanding and grieving. The Dougy Center in Portland is providing guidebooks to families and teachers in New York City. The Dougy Center is a nationally renowned center for grieving children and families. You can directly assist them with a $50 gift. This donation will provide one family with a set of guidebooks. School librarians in New York have called them "must-have" resources and many grateful families have already thanked the Center. Please call 503-775-5683 or go to: www.grievingchild.com for more information.

Hood River's only funeral home changes its name and the entire way it serves people

As heartfelt as I can I want to thank all the fans who supported the boys' high school soccer team this year, especially those who traveled to Lake Oswego on Saturday evening, Nov. 10. The cheering and applause that greeted the team as they took the field to start the second half was just incredible and extremely emotional. It was no coincidence that we scored to tie the game a few minutes later.

Tracy Johnson's letter (Nov. 24) got me thinking. Apparently the main thing that makes Tracy and her husband want Wal-Mart is the convenience of buying cheap underwear. Wal-Mart is the number one seller of cheap underwear in the world. In 1996 alone, Wal-Mart sold 1.13 pairs of underwear for every man, woman, and child in America. They are the sellers, but who actually sews those millions of pairs of underwear? Young women and girls in Bangladesh are forced to work from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week, for 9 to 20 cents an hour, with monitored bathroom breaks, no benefits, and no maternity leave -- sewing the cheap underwear that we can buy at Wal-Mart. They are screamed at on the job and fired on the spot for insubordination. Their human rights are systematically violated. This information is from the National Labor Organization. Almost one year ago, KLD Research & Analytics, Inc. removed Wal-Mart from their investment equity index for operating factories that violate basic human and labor rights. If you care about social justice, you should oppose Wal-Mart. If you care about the environment, the paving and developing of over 16 acres of land will create more polluted run-off than anyone local should want spilling onto nearby land and into our water systems. Imagine 12 more acres of oil leaks. Imagine the oil running out into our land and water every time it rains. If you care about your local economy, you should oppose Wal-Mart. For every dollar you spend there, only 6 cents stays in our community, while 94 cents leaves town electronically overnight. Studies have shown that for every single job created at a Wal-Mart, 1.5 jobs are lost in the community as local businesses close when they can't compete. Hood River would become another economic colony for distant executives. We should also be asking these questions: What will happen to the existing 50,000 square-foot Wal-Mart building? Will the city or county have to pay for widening streets, putting in signals, increased police patrols, or laying water and sewer lines? In 1998, a new Wal-Mart store opened in this country every three days. We already have one. Mrs. Tracy Johnson can already go to Wal-Mart to buy her sons cheap underwear made by young girls in third world sweat shops. Why in the world would Hood River want a monstrous, four-acre "Super Center" and a possibly vacant 50,000 square foot building?

The assisted living wing at Providence Brookside Manor was dedicated in honor of Dorothy and Wilson Appelgren on Monday in a ceremony at Brookside that included the unveiling of a new sign near the manor's lobby. The sign, made of etched glass, was created by Hood River artist Ken Tatyrek.

Peter H. von Oppel is mistaken, the point of free overnight parking at Wal-Mart is not lost on me (Our Readers Write, Nov. 21.) The very idea that Wal-Mart is providing a service to people on the move is laughable. It costs money to travel. It's not as if a bunch of homeless people set up camp while looking for work. What I see are expensive recreational vehicles and second-homes on wheels parking overnight in a tourist-town free of charge.

Experienced team, new coach bring optimism to HRV girls hoops.

A great fashion show was held at the Hood River Hotel last Friday night. It was presented to a sold-out crowd with the proceeds going to a local Christmas charity fundraiser. The evening was presented by our local merchants Bikram Yoga, Kerrit's, Silverado, Frolic, Windwear and Anne Cruz, with an added presentation by Susan Sorenson's Dance Academy. Congratulations to everyone who did such a great job and made the event possible. My only question is, "Where was Wal-Mart, and why did they not participate?" Perhaps the event was too "small town" to warrant their participation. The fashion show was just one more example of the fact that the small businesses of Hood River are the lifeblood of our community. Most of us have seen the Wal-Mart commercials portraying that "feel good, small town" kind of goodwill, but where is it in Hood River? In my opinion, it is missing. The local Wal-Mart missed out on an important opportunity to build that goodwill in our community last Friday night.

I adopted Hood River some years ago because I was looking for a town with good neighbors. I found it. I love being known by the clerks who help me when I shop, by the doctors who treat me. I love volunteering, and building a great community side-by-side with my neighbors.

The annual Soroptimist Women of Distinction awards were held Nov. 16 at the Gorge Room at the Hood River Inn. Shirley Ekker, Leila Crapper and Aileen Gaddy were honored for their service to the community in one of several categories.

We the community, not. My husgand and I have lived in Hood River for 32 years. We both want the new Wal-Mart. It's the only place in town our family can shop for undergarments and etc. Downtown shops are too expensive, and do not provide items needed for two young boys. I would rather take my money to Portland or The Dalles, if we lost Wal-Mart. That's what we did before Wal-Mart came to Hood River. The excuse about having too many box buildings is just than, an excuse. Everywhere I look there's a box building.

HRV junior midfielder Matt Dallman made a prediction before the 2001 boys soccer season. "We should win our conference," he said. "We have very strong expectations this year, and I'd say the state semifinals are realistic."

Local effort will need help

A change was made during the editing process, and my article "Flowers' Power" (Nov. 10) implied that essential oils used in aromatherapy and the flower essences that I made from wildflowers of the Columbia River Gorge are the same thing. They are very different and I wish to clarify that. I feel it is very important to preserve the wildflowers that grow here.

Feds must take airport role

I'm as guilty as anyone. Under the excuse that going to the Veterans Day memorial at Overlook Park was an assignment, I blindly left my family at home. I usually feel guilty if I photograph while I have my family with me, so I seperate the two. Family and Work. Period.

'The less you throw away, the less you pay'

I was moved to see such an outpouring of interest in the recent Afghan presentation that occured Nov. 3. I was very disturbed, however, to read that Professor Zaher Wahab received a standing ovation to his comment, "A crime was committed on Sept. 11. You don't answer a crime with a war." I only wish I could have attended the presentation. I would like to have responded to that comment with this: "Look around you and imagine 15 times as many people in the room. Now, imagine all of you being killed in a single act." A crime is shoplifting or destroying a flag. Killing 6,000 innocent civilians on Sept. 11, 2001 was an act of war. I would be intersted to hear Professor Wahab's views regarding what happened at Pearl Harbor. Was that just an act of vandalism on a military base?

Hood River seems to be under assault on many fronts these days. It feels as though this community is in everyone's crosshairs. Of all the threats to our town from outside forces, by far the one with most potential to destroy the every essence of Hood River is the giant Wal-Mart proposed for the west side.

The Christians who were in the twin towers were killed by Moslems who had witnessed decades of seeing children die in their father's arms by the guns of Jews who had seen their parent's generation nearly exterminated by Christians. The cycle repeated once again as all three agreed it had since Cain and Abel.

This is response to Don Stevens letter "A monstrosity." (Oct. 24, Our Readers Write.) "This community thinks" he states. He is encluding me when he says community and I don't want him speaking for me. I live in the community of Hood River and have for 55 years and please do not include me any any of your decisions. Next time just speak for yourself Don. Now on to Tom Hons (Oct. 24). He uses, in his letter against Wal-Mart, the word "we" six times. Does he have a mouse in his pocket? If so, he should have signed his letter that way, again this man is speaking for all persons when he uses the word we. Please do not include me in your articles for or against anything. Speak for yourself only, if someone else in your life thinks like you do then have them sign your letter also. I am so tired of these people speaking for me. This is the second letter to this effect I have mailed to this paper. Do any of you read others' letters? Got it yet.

Regarding Wal-Mart's plan to build a massive new structure coupled with an airport-sized parking lot, one has to wonder what's next. Don't misunderstand, I completely endorse capitalism in America. It is one of our greatest strengths. In America, I also feel the demise of many communities large and small can be attributed to the giant "mega-stores" that offer little more than discounted goods and minimum wage jobs. I sincerely hope (trust) the city and county of Hood River will stand firm with Wal-Mart, listen to the concerns of the community and expedite the county "inking" the 50,000 square-foot ordinance. Anything less would be a huge mistake.

Regarding Wal-Mart, county still has time to put civic needs first<BR>

Thanks for your series on "Uprooted Harvest: which ended in the Nov. 3 issue with the story on the Oak Grove community. We thoroughly enjoyed the interview with Erik Steighner and he did a good job. I would like to add one more thing about my working in the harvest, which I should have said at the time: I was certainly not the first wife to work in the orchard, however, I believe that I was the first to load and haul the fruit to cold storage. The Japanese wives worked in the orchards long before I ever did and worked harder than I ever did. They deserve that recongnition and I am sorry that I did not say this at the time of the interview. In fact, Suma Kobayashi, who was with us the day of the interview, had spent the morning working in the orchard. She is in the photo of the school picture, so you know that she spent many years at it.